Ram pump

ABSTRACT

An improved ram pump for use with a fluid source having an initial head. The ram pump is of a generally known type and the improvement includes modification of a waste valve member of the ram pump to be selectively moveable along a path having a vertical component between a default waste configuration and a closed configuration. The waste valve member is gravity-biased towards the default waste configuration. The improvement also includes modification of a check valve member of the ram pump to be selectively moveable along a substantially horizontal path between a ram configuration and a pump configuration. The check valve member is biased towards the ram configuration, and the fluid source is substantially horizontally flowable through a pump outlet of the ram pump when the check valve member is in the pump configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic rampumps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hydraulic ram pumps, also called water rams or ram pumps, arewell-known devices that, using only a source of flowing fluid, can pumpsaid fluid at relatively high pressure. However, known ram pumps cansuffer from the need to utilize a large number of precision parts in thevalving areas, at commensurate costs, in order to provide reliable,efficient pumping. There is a need for a relatively efficient andreliable hydraulic ram pump that is relatively inexpensive to construct.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed animproved ram pump for use with a fluid source having an initial head.The ram pump is of the generally known type that has an intake manifoldengagable with the fluid source, the intake manifold defining a wasteoutlet and a pump outlet therethrough. The ram pump is also of thegenerally known type that has a waste valve member selectively moveablebetween a waste configuration whereat the fluid source is flowablethrough the waste outlet and a closed configuration whereat the wastevalve member sealingly obstructs flow of the fluid source through thewaste outlet. Further, the ram pump is of the generally known type thathas a check valve member selectively moveable between a ramconfiguration whereat the check valve member substantially obstructsflow of the fluid source through the pump outlet and a pumpconfiguration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the pumpoutlet. The ram pump is of the type that is generally known to urge thewaste valve member towards the closed configuration when the check valvemember is in the ram configuration and the waste valve member is in thewaste configuration, and when the fluid source is at a first maximumhead. The ram pump is also of the type that is generally known to urgethe check valve member towards the pump configuration when the wastevalve member is in the closed configuration and the check valve memberis in the ram configuration, and when the fluid source is at a secondmaximum head. The ram pump is still further of the type that isgenerally known to urge the waste valve member towards the wasteconfiguration when the check valve member is in the pump configurationand the waste valve member is in the closed configuration, and when thefluid source is at a first minimum head. The ram pump is yet further ofthe type that is generally known to urge the check valve member towardsthe ram configuration when the waste valve member is in the wasteconfiguration and the check valve member is in the pump configuration,and when the fluid source is at a second minimum head. In accordancewith the present invention, the improvement comprises the waste valvemember being selectively moveable along a path having a verticalcomponent between the default waste configuration and the closedconfiguration, with the waste valve member being gravity-biased towardsthe default waste configuration. The check valve member is selectivelymoveable along a substantially horizontal path between the ramconfiguration and the pump configuration, with the check valve memberbeing biased towards the ram configuration, wherein the fluid source issubstantially horizontally flowable through the pump outlet when thecheck valve member is in the pump configuration.

[0004] According to a further aspect of the invention, a tubular skirtportion extends in a substantially downward direction from a peripheralportion of the waste valve member.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the path having avertical component comprises a substantially vertical axis.

[0006] According to a still further aspect of the invention, the intakemanifold includes a waste valve body and a manifold casing engagablewith the fluid source. The manifold casing securely engages a lower endportion of the waste valve body. The waste valve body defines inthroughpassing relation a waste conduit extending between the lower endportion and an upper end portion of the waste valve body. The wasteconduit is in fluid communication with the manifold casing substantiallyadjacent to the lower end portion and in fluid communication with thewaste outlet substantially adjacent to the upper end portion of thewaste valve body. The waste valve body includes an upper bearing mountedsubstantially adjacent to the upper end portion and a lower bearingmounted substantially adjacent to the lower end portion. A longitudinalupper piston portion of the waste valve member extends in asubstantially upward direction from a central portion of the waste valvemember and engages the upper bearing in throughpassing slidablerelation. A longitudinal lower piston portion of the waste valve memberextends in the substantially downward direction from the central portionof the waste valve member and engages the lower bearing inthroughpassing slidable relation.

[0007] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a peripheralcushioning member extends transversely from the longitudinal upperpiston portion. The peripheral cushioning member selectively engages theupper bearing when the waste valve member is in the default wasteconfiguration.

[0008] According to a yet further aspect of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the substantially horizontal path comprises asubstantially horizontal axis.

[0009] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the fluid source is substantially unobstructed by the checkvalve body when the check valve member is in the pump configuration.

[0010] According to yet still another aspect of the preferred embodimentof the invention, the fluid source is flowable through the pump outletinto a pressure vessel when the check valve member is in the pumpconfiguration. The pressure vessel defines a vessel outlet and containsa substantially impermeable bladder membrane that is remotely positionedrelative to both the pump outlet and the vessel outlet respectively. Thebladder membrane encloses a buffer fluid that is elastically pressurizedwhen the check valve member is in the pump configuration.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the manifold casing, the check valve body, and the wastevalve body are each respectively constructed from conventional valvingmechanisms.

[0012] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description with reference to the accompanyingillustrations, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] In the accompanying Figures, which should be expressly understoodto be for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an improved ram pumpaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing, in phantomoutline, the bladder membrane inside the pressure vessel.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the waste valve body of FIG. 2showing, in phantom outline, the waste valve member in the wasteconfiguration;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view along sight line 4-4 of FIG.3 with the waste valve member in the closed configuration;

[0018]FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the check valve member ofFIG. 2 shown in the ram configuration;

[0019]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the check valve member ofFIG. 2 shown in the pump configuration;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a front, bottom perspective partial view of the wastevalve member of FIG. 4;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a front, bottom perspective view of an extenderaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0022]FIG. 9 is a view of the extender of FIG. 8, in use with the pumpof FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an improved ram pump 20for use with a fluid source (not shown) having an initial head. The rampump 20 is of a type that has an intake manifold 22 engagable with thefluid source. The intake manifold 22 defines a waste outlet 36 and athreaded pump outlet 24 therethrough.

[0024] The ram pump 20 also includes a waste valve member 42 that isselectively moveable between a waste configuration whereat the fluidsource is flowable through the waste outlet 36 (as best seen in FIG. 3)and a closed configuration whereat the waste valve member 42 sealinglyobstructs flow of the fluid source through the waste outlet 36 (as bestseen in FIG. 4).

[0025] Further, the ram pump 20 also includes a check valve member 54that is selectively moveable between a ram configuration whereat thecheck valve member 54 substantially obstructs flow of the fluid sourcethrough the pump outlet 24 (as best seen in FIG. 5) and a pumpconfiguration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the pumpoutlet 24 (as best seen in FIG. 6).

[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the fluid source is flowablethrough the pump outlet 24 into a pressure vessel 70 when the checkvalve member 54 is in the pump configuration. The pressure vessel 70includes a vessel cap member 78 and a hollow vessel body 80 that definesa threaded vessel outlet 72. The hollow vessel body 80 has a closed end82 and an open end 84 and is in fluid communication with the vesseloutlet 72 which is intermediate the closed end 82 and the open end 84.The vessel cap member 78 sealingly and threadingly engages the open end84 of the vessel body 80, and in this regard, the open end 84 of thehollow vessel body 80 is provided with threads 86 to sealingly engage,in use, corresponding threads 88 provided on the vessel cap member 78.The vessel cap member 78 has a vessel inlet 79 formed therethrough, andis rigidly connected, by welding or the like, to the manifold casing 26.The vessel inlet 79 of the vessel cap member 78 and the pump outlet 24of the manifold casing 26 are in fluid communication with one another.

[0027] The pressure vessel 70 contains a substantially impermeablebladder membrane 74 that is positioned within the vessel body 80adjacent the closed end 82 and remotely positioned relative to both thepump outlet 24 and the vessel outlet 72 respectively. The bladdermembrane 74 encloses a buffer fluid 76 that is elastically pressurizedwhen the check valve member 54 is in the pump configuration. The bladdermembrane 74, which is constructed from rubber or a similar elasticmaterial, may be filled with air or any other elastically pressurizablefluid.

[0028] The intake manifold 22 includes a tubular waste valve body 28 anda manifold casing 26 that is engagable with the fluid source adjacent athreaded supply inlet 27A thereof. The manifold casing 26 is in fluidcommunication with the pump outlet 24 of the intake manifold 22 and hasa threaded waste body port 27B. The manifold casing 26, as shown in thefigures, may be formed from a conventional 2″ tee fitting, constructedout of 316-1 stainless steel and having a ¼″ wall thickness.

[0029] The threaded waste body port 27B of the manifold casing 26securely, sealingly and threadingly engages a lower end portion 30 ofthe waste valve body 28. The waste valve body 28 defines inthroughpassing relation a waste conduit 32 extending between the lowerend portion 30 and an upper end portion 34 of the waste valve body 28.The waste conduit 32 is in fluid communication with the manifold casing26 substantially adjacent to the lower end portion 30 and in fluidcommunication with the waste outlet 36 substantially adjacent to theupper end portion 34 of the waste valve body 28. The waste valve body 28also defines a constricted portion 33 of the waste conduit 32 that isintermediate of the lower end portion 30 and the waste outlet 36, andhas a smaller cross-sectional area than some other portions of the wasteconduit 32. The constricted portion 33 has a seat portion 33A.

[0030] The waste valve body also includes an upper bearing 38 rigidlymounted, by welding or the like, substantially adjacent to the upper endportion 34 and a lower bearing 40 rigidly mounted, by welding or thelike, substantially adjacent to the lower end portion 30. A longitudinalupper piston portion 50 of the waste valve member 42 extends in asubstantially upward direction “D” from a central portion 48 of thewaste valve member 42. The longitudinal upper piston portion 50 extendsthrough the constricted portion 33 of the waste conduit 32, through thewaste outlet 36, and engages the upper bearing 38 in throughpassingslidable relation. The upper piston portion 50 has a threaded upper endportion 51. A longitudinal lower piston portion 52 of the waste valvemember 42 extends in the substantially downward direction “C” from thecentral portion 48 of the waste valve member 42. The longitudinal lowerpiston portion 52 engages the lower bearing 40 in throughpassingslidable relation. The upper and lower piston portions, 50 and 52, movewith the waste valve member 42 between the waste and the closedconfigurations.

[0031] A peripheral cushioning member 60 extends transversely from thelongitudinal upper piston portion 50. The peripheral cushioning member60 includes a conventional nut or fastening member 62 threadinglyengaging the threaded upper end portion 51 of the upper piston portion50 of the waste valve member 42. The peripheral cushioning member 60also includes a compressible pad member 64 positioned about the upperpiston portion 50 and securely engaging the fastening member 62. Areinforcing ring member 66 securely engages the compressible pad member64 in circumferential relation.

[0032] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste valve member 42 isselectively moveable, in use, along a path having a vertical component,and preferably along a substantially vertical axis A-A, between thedefault waste configuration and the closed configuration, such that thewaste valve member 42 is gravity-biased towards the lower end portion 30of the waste valve body 28 and towards the default waste configuration.As best shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral cushioning member 60, and morespecifically the compressible pad member 64, selectively engages theupper bearing 38 when the waste valve member 42 is in the default wasteconfiguration.

[0033] As best seen in FIG. 7, a tubular skirt portion 46 extends in asubstantially downward direction “C” from a peripheral portion 44 of thewaste valve member 42. The tubular skirt portion 46 has a circumferenceslightly smaller than the base of the peripheral portion 44, andslightly larger than the constricted portion 33. As best shown in FIG.4, the peripheral portion 44 securely engages a peripheral O-ring member45 that sealingly engages the seat portion 33A when the waste valvemember 42 is in the closed configuration.

[0034] It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat the waste valve body 28 and the waste valve member 42, as best seenin FIGS. 3 and 4, may together be constructed from a 1 ½″ nominal ODthreaded coupling 100 and a conventional 1 ¼″ stainless steelgravity-biased check valve 102, modified as follows: in the provision ofthe skirt portion 46; in the placement of the bearings 38, 40; in theprovision of the cushioning member 60; and in the provision of theconstricted portion 33.

[0035] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the check valve member 54 isselectively moveable, in use, along a substantially horizontal path, andpreferably along a substantially horizontal axis B-B, between the ramconfiguration and the pump configuration. The check valve member 54 isspring biased towards the ram configuration by a spring member 58C. Thecheck valve member 54 also includes a check valve body 56 and a valvecap member 58. The spring member 58C is mounted to the check valve body56 and to the valve cap member 58 to bias the valve cap member 58 formovement towards the ram configuration.

[0036] The check valve body 56 has a downstream end 57B, an internallythreaded portion 57A, and a threaded check valve coupling 55 sealingly,threadingly engaged within the internally threaded portion 57A of thecheck valve body 56. The check valve body 56 has a check valve seat 59formed therein, substantially adjacent to the downstream end 57B. Thevalve cap member 58 has a valve cap 58A and a stem 58B, and is mountedto the check valve body 56. In use, the valve cap member 58 moves alongthe substantially horizontal axis B-B between the ram configurationwhereat the valve cap 58A rests on the check valve seat 59 tosubstantially obstruct flow of the fluid source through the pump outlet24 and the downstream end 56B of the check valve body 56, as best seenin FIG. 5, and the pump configuration whereat the valve cap 58A isdisposed apart from the check valve seat 59 to permit substantiallyunobstructed fluid flow through the check valve member 54, as best seenin FIG. 6.

[0037] In use, the check valve member 54 is disposed within the pressurevessel 70. The threaded check valve coupling 55 extends from theinternally threaded portion 57A, through the vessel inlet 79 of thevessel cap member 78, to securely, sealingly and threadingly engage thepump outlet 24 of the manifold casing 26. It will be noted that thecheck valve member 54 of the preferred embodiment may be formed from aconventional 1 ¼ check valve, constructed of stainless steel, modifiedonly by the removal of a tubular portion which, as purchased, extendsslightly beyond the valve cap 70 when seated, so as to shield the samewhen in the check valve member is in the pump configuration. With thismodification, and as best seen in FIG. 6, the fluid source issubstantially horizontally flowable through the pump outlet 24, andsubstantially unobstructed by the check valve body 56, when the checkvalve member 54 is in the pump configuration.

[0038] As such, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that themanifold casing 26, the check valve body 54, and the waste valve body 28may each respectively be constructed from conventional valvingmechanisms.

[0039] In use, the supply inlet 27 of the manifold casing 26 is coupledto the fluid source (not shown), so as to permit flowing water or someother fluid to enter the manifold casing 26 through the supply inlet 27.The valve cap member 58 of the check valve member 54, being biased asaforementioned towards the ram configuration, substantially obstructsthe flow of fluid into the pressure vessel 70, causing fluid to insteadflow into the waste valve body 28, around the waste valve member 42,which is initially positioned in the waste configuration as shown inFIG. 3, and out of the waste outlet 36. The ram pump 20 is of a typethat urges the waste valve member 42 towards the closed configurationwhen the check valve member 54 is in the ram configuration and the wastevalve member 42 is in the waste configuration, and when the fluid sourceis at a first maximum head, namely, when the fluid source reaches acertain maximum speed through the waste outlet 36 sufficient to overcomethe gravity-biasing of the waste valve member 42 towards the wasteconfiguration. That is, the flowing force of said fluid sourceultimately (i.e., at the first maximum head) drags the waste valvemember 42 to the closed configuration, as best seen in FIG. 4, tosealingly obstruct flow through the waste outlet 36.

[0040] Thereafter, the momentum of the flowing water (a “water hammer”)from the fluid source causes a temporary increase in pressure within themanifold casing 26 to reach a second maximum head that is sufficient toovercome the bias of the spring member 58C and permit a charge of waterto enter the pressure vessel 70, and to elastically pressurize the airor other fluid contained within the bladder membrane 74. That is, thecheck valve member 54 is urged towards the pump configuration when thewaste valve member 42 is in the closed configuration and the check valvemember 54 is in the ram configuration, and when the fluid source is atthe second maximum head.

[0041] Next, at a first minimum head, once the pressure between themanifold casing 26 and the pressure vessel 70 has substantiallyequalized, the waste valve member 42 tends to move, under force ofgravity, away from the closed configuration and towards the wasteconfiguration, as best seen in FIG. 3, since any drag forces (at thefirst maximum head) which may have previously caused it to move towardsthe closed configuration have dissipated and no longer exist, such thatflow can again occur through the waste valve body 28. To put it anotherway, the ram pump 20 urges the waste valve member 42 towards the wasteconfiguration when the check valve member 54 is in the pumpconfiguration and the waste valve member 42 is in the closedconfiguration, and when the fluid source is at the first minimum head.

[0042] To complete the cycle, the check valve member 54 is urged towardsthe ram configuration when the waste valve member 42 is in the wasteconfiguration and the check valve member 54 is in the pumpconfiguration, and when the fluid source is at a second minimum head.That is, flow of the fluid source through the waste outlet 36 results ininsufficient pressure within the manifold casing 26 to continue toresist the spring-biasing of the check valve member 54 towards the ramconfiguration, and therefore, the valve cap 70 in the check valve member54 naturally returns to the ram configuration, thereby substantiallyobstructing further flow between the manifold casing 26 and the pressurevessel 70.

[0043] Over time, and with repeated cycles of the improved ram pump 20as aforesaid, pressure in the air or other fluid contained within thebladder membrane 74, and pressure on any water or other fluid within thepressure vessel 70, will build until it is sufficient to expel suchwater or other fluid through the vessel outlet 72 against any stationaryhead that may exist, or until it matches the instantaneous pressurecreated by the water hammer. The pressure in the buffer fluid 76 mayalso act as a steady exhausting force to remove fluid from the vesselbody 80 at a substantially more uniform rate than any rate at which itmay be supplied from the manifold casing 26 through the pump outlet 24.That is, an intermittent flow of fluid may be converted by the bladdermembrane 74 and the buffer fluid 76 into a more uniform and constantstream.

[0044] Depending, inter alia, upon the initial head of the watersupplied to the supply inlet 27, and the stationary head which needs tobe overcome before water or other fluid can be expelled through thevessel outlet 72, adjustments to a stroke length and/or to an effectiveweight of the waste valve member 42, such as are known to persons ofordinary skill in the art, may need to be made to the ram pump 20.Adjustments to the stroke length can be achieved simply by manipulationof the fastening member 62 of the cushioning member 60, and sliding thepad member 64 and the reinforcing ring member 66 accordingly.Adjustments to the effective weight of the waste valve member 42 can beachieved by affixing a suitable weight to the threaded upper end portion51 of the upper piston portion 50. Nuts, for example, could be used.However, in circumstances where the water or other fluid is delivered tothe supply inlet 27 at a substantial initial head or pressure,substantial forces may need to be applied to the upper piston portion 50in order to overcome same. In such case, relatively more massive objectsneed be used. For this purpose, an extender 90, as illustrated in FIG.8, may be threaded onto the threaded upper end portion 51 of the upperpiston portion 50 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9, to permit largerweights to be employed.

[0045] Without intending to be bound by theory, the relatively highefficiency of the present invention is obtained inter alia through themodification of the check valve member 54, as aforesaid, which isbelieved to improve flow characteristics between the manifold casing 26and the pressure vessel 70; through the substantially horizontalorientation of the check valve member 54 along axis B-B; and through theprovision of the skirt portion 46 and the constricted portion 33, whichare believed to provide an advantageous swirling flow (not shown) in thewaste valve body 28. Similarly, without intending to be bound by theory,the relatively high reliability of the present invention is obtainedinter alia through the positioning of the upper and lower bearings 38,40 and in the provision of the cushion member 60, which lessens theshock that would otherwise be placed on the waste valve member 42. Theuse of conventional valving mechanisms, in part, is responsible for therelatively low cost of the structure.

[0046] Of course, various modifications may be made to the presentinvention without departing from its spirit or scope. Accordingly, thepresent invention should be understood as being limited only by theaccompanying claims, purposively construed. An example of one suchmodification is the replacement of the vessel cap member 78 with a capplate (not shown) that may be rigidly connected, by welding or the like,directly to the threaded check valve coupling 55. In such amodification, the cap plate and the vessel body 80 might also be adaptedto securely and sealingly engage one another by way of a clamp member(not shown). Likewise, it will be appreciated that the vessel outlet 72,although shown in the accompanying figures to have a substantiallyvertical axis, may be oriented along an axis that does not even have avertical component (i.e., that is horizontal). As well, and as best seenin FIG. 4, the threaded coupling 100 may be provided with or without aconstricted upper portion; such a constricted upper portion would serveto accelerate passage of the fluid source through the coupling 100.Another modification that is specifically contemplated by the invention,and one that may be of particular application inter alia where there isa low existing stationary head, is that of a ram pump 20 providedwithout a pressure vessel 70, that instead feeds fluid directly from thepump outlet 24 to an end user. In light of the various exemplarymodifications and alterations outlined above which do not depart fromthe spirit or scope of the invention, it should once again be noted thatthe present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.

I claim:
 1. An improved ram pump for use with a fluid source having aninitial head, said ram pump being of the generally known type having: a)an intake manifold engagable with said fluid source, said intakemanifold defining a waste outlet and a pump outlet therethrough; b) awaste valve member selectively moveable between a waste configurationwhereat said fluid source is flowable through said waste outlet and aclosed configuration whereat said waste valve member sealingly obstructsflow of said fluid source through said waste outlet; and c) a checkvalve member selectively moveable between a ram configuration whereatsaid check valve member substantially obstructs flow of said fluidsource through said pump outlet and a pump configuration whereat saidfluid source is flowable through said pump outlet; wherein said ram pumpis generally known to urge: d) said waste valve member towards saidclosed configuration when said check valve member is in said ramconfiguration and said waste valve member is in said wasteconfiguration, and when said fluid source is at a first maximum head; e)said check valve member towards said pump configuration when said wastevalve member is in said closed configuration and said check valve memberis in said ram configuration, and when said fluid source is at a secondmaximum head; f) said waste valve member towards said wasteconfiguration when said check valve member is in said pump configurationand said waste valve member is in said closed configuration, and whensaid fluid source is at a first minimum head; and g) said check valvemember towards said ram configuration when said waste valve member is insaid waste configuration and said check valve member is in said pumpconfiguration, and when said fluid source is at a second minimum head;wherein the improvement comprises: h) said waste valve member beingselectively moveable along a path having a vertical component betweensaid default waste configuration and said closed configuration, withsaid waste valve member being gravity-biased towards said default wasteconfiguration; and i) said check valve member being selectively moveablealong a substantially horizontal path between said ram configuration andsaid pump configuration, with said check valve member being biasedtowards said ram configuration, wherein said fluid source issubstantially horizontally flowable through said pump outlet when saidcheck valve member is in said pump configuration.
 2. An improved rampump according to claim 1, wherein a tubular skirt portion extends in asubstantially downward direction from a peripheral portion of said wastevalve member.
 3. An improved ram pump according to claim 2, wherein saidpath having a vertical component comprises a substantially verticalaxis.
 4. An improved ram pump according to claim 3, wherein said intakemanifold includes a waste valve body and a manifold casing engagablewith said fluid source, with said manifold casing securely engaging alower end portion of said waste valve body, said waste valve bodydefining in throughpassing relation a waste conduit extending betweensaid lower end portion and an upper end portion of said waste valvebody, said waste conduit being in fluid communication with said manifoldcasing substantially adjacent to said lower end portion and in fluidcommunication with said waste outlet substantially adjacent to saidupper end portion of said waste valve body, and wherein said waste valvebody includes an upper bearing mounted substantially adjacent to saidupper end portion and a lower bearing mounted substantially adjacent tosaid lower end portion, with a longitudinal upper piston portion of saidwaste valve member extending in a substantially upward direction from acentral portion of said waste valve member and engaging said upperbearing in throughpassing slidable relation, and with a longitudinallower piston portion of said waste valve member extending in saidsubstantially downward direction from said central portion of said wastevalve member and engaging said lower bearing in throughpassing slidablerelation.
 5. An improved ram pump according to claim 4, wherein aperipheral cushioning member extends transversely from said longitudinalupper piston portion, with said peripheral cushioning member selectivelyengaging said upper bearing when said waste valve member is in saiddefault waste configuration.
 6. An improved ram pump according to claim5, wherein said waste valve body defines a constricted portion of saidwaste conduit that is intermediate of said lower end portion and saidwaste outlet, said constricted portion having a seat portion, andwherein said peripheral portion securely engages a peripheral O-ringmember that sealingly engages said seat portion when said waste valvemember is in said closed configuration.
 7. An improved ram pumpaccording to claim 6, wherein said substantially horizontal pathcomprises a substantially horizontal axis.
 8. An improved ram pumpaccording to claim 7, wherein said check valve member is spring biasedtowards said ram configuration.
 9. An improved ram pump according toclaim 8, wherein said check valve member comprises a check valve bodyand a valve cap member, said check valve body securely engaging saidintake manifold substantially adjacent to said pump outlet, and whereinsaid valve cap member substantially obstructs flow of said fluid sourcethrough said pump outlet when said check valve member is in said ramconfiguration.
 10. An improved ram pump according to claim 9, whereinsaid fluid source is substantially unobstructed by said check valve bodywhen said check valve member is in said pump configuration.
 11. Animproved ram pump according to claim 10, wherein said lower end portionof said waste valve body sealingly and threadingly engages said manifoldcasing.
 12. An improved ram pump according to claim 11, wherein saidcheck valve body sealingly and threadingly engages said intake manifoldsubstantially adjacent to said pump outlet.
 13. An improved ram pumpaccording to claim 12, wherein said upper piston portion has a threadedupper end portion, and wherein said peripheral cushioning membercomprises a fastening member threadingly engaging said threaded upperend portion, a compressible pad member positioned about said upperpiston portion and securely engaging said fastening member, and areinforcing ring member securely engaging said compressible pad member,with said compressible pad member selectively engaging said upperbearing when said waste valve member is in said default wasteconfiguration.
 14. An improved ram pump according to claim 13, whereinsaid fluid source is flowable through said pump outlet into a pressurevessel when said check valve member is in said pump configuration, saidpressure vessel defining a vessel outlet and containing a substantiallyimpermeable bladder membrane that is remotely positioned relative toboth said pump outlet and said vessel outlet respectively, with saidbladder membrane enclosing a buffer fluid that is elasticallypressurized when said check valve member is in said pump configuration.15. An improved ram pump according to claim 14, wherein said pressurevessel comprises a hollow vessel body and a vessel cap member, saidhollow vessel body having a closed end and an open end and being influid communication with said vessel outlet, with said bladder membranepositioned within the vessel body adjacent said closed end, and withsaid vessel cap member sealingly and threadingly engaging said open endof said vessel body, and wherein said vessel cap member securely engagessaid intake manifold substantially adjacent to said pump outlet.
 16. Animproved ram pump according to claim 15, wherein said manifold casing,said check valve body, and said waste valve body are each respectivelyconstructed from conventional valving mechanisms.